Investing in a warehouse club membership like Costco can be a great money move for many shoppers. The retailer sells bulk essentials at discounted prices. Maximizing the value of your Costco membership by shopping these deals can help you avoid overspending.

But not everyone can afford an annual membership to Costco. Membership fees are now $65 (Gold Star) or $130 (Admin) annually, which is a lot of money to spend to access the retailer’s members-only deals. It’s not a good idea to join Costco if you can’t afford the annual fee.

The good news is that Costco is just one of many retailers offering great deals. You can save money by shopping elsewhere. Want to reduce your expenses when purchasing groceries and household items? Here are a few bulk shopping alternatives to help you keep more money in your checking account.

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Target is a popular retailer with reasonable prices. Although not everything sold here is discounted, many items are affordable. I do most of my shopping at Target, especially when purchasing pantry essentials like condiments, canned goods, and spices.

Since I live in a two-person household, buying all my daily needs in bulk doesn’t help me. I could buy a lot but the best buy date will pass before I finish it. So I buy some basic ingredients like spices and seasonings at Target. I’ve found that Target tends to have more affordable prices than the local grocery store.

For example, I can buy a 2.62-ounce bottle of store brand onion powder at Target for $1.19. The equivalent at my local grocery store, the Market District, costs $3.49 for the same size package. That’s nearly three times Target’s price, and thanks to its reasonable size, nothing goes to waste. You might want to see if you can save money on pantry essentials by shopping at Target.

But that’s not the only way I can save. I maximize my savings by using a rewards credit card at checkout. This allows me to earn cash back rewards. Want to maximize your savings? Click here to view our list of the best cash-back credit cards offering great rewards.

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Aldi is another wholesale shopping alternative that will save you money. This low-cost retailer primarily sells groceries, but you can also find household items like hand soap, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and paper products here.

I think Aldi is a great alternative to Costco for fresh produce. It doesn’t make sense to buy fruits and vegetables in bulk for my tiny home, but Aldi’s produce prices are cheaper than my local grocery store.

Aldi is selling an 8-ounce package of sliced ​​white mushrooms for $1.29 this week. Meanwhile, the Market District sells the equivalent for $2.79. That’s a savings of $1.50 for a pack. Aldi can be the perfect place to shop for those looking to fill their grocery carts with fresh produce without going broke. You may want to visit your local store to see what I mean.

Costco membership not required to unlock savings

If you’re trying to keep your spending under control, you’re not alone. Don’t assume you need to spend money on an expensive membership to save money on buying groceries and other household items. Retailers like Target and Aldi have great deals offering significant savings.

To maximize your savings, review the weekly sales flyer before shopping. Making a shopping list based on what’s on sale and buying store brand staples can also help you save more. Finally, consider paying your moving fee with a rewards-earning credit card.

Earning points, miles or cash back by swiping your credit card is a win for your wallet. Do you want to be rewarded when you shop? Explore our list of the best rewards credit cards to find out how easy it is to earn rewards.